Introducing Inga

I have been longing for a new mixer for several months.  Many of you may remember the death of my Classic Kitchen Aid mixer.  It just could not handle mixing whole wheat bread and went up in flames.  I have researched exactly what I wanted and found the mixer locally.  The Viking 7 QT Professional won my heart, unfortunately the price tag was a little out of my reach.  I knew if I waited patiently and asked the right holiday fairy, it would appear.  Apparently, Santa Claus was listening!

I have named her Inga.  She is sleek, sexy, red and powerful.  She commands attention in the kitchen and I plan to give her the respect that she deserves.  Inga seemed like the perfect name for her.  Now Lamar and I both cheer for a Viking!  LOL

So what was the first thing that Inga made...bread of course!  I whipped up a batch of my favorite whole wheat bread.  The mixer handled the task of a two loaf batch with no problems.  It is so much easier to have the mixer do the job of kneading the bread.  I really think this is the best loaf of bread I have made.  The crumb was perfect.  I saved one loaf for us and gave the other to my Secret Sister tonight.  Fresh bread will now be back on our plates.

Like Calum, Like Boba

They say a dog and their owner begin to look alike after a while.  So tell me, who looks like who here?

4 Months

Today is 4 months since Calum's birth!  How he has changed.  Gone is my little baby (not that he was ever that little) and emerging is this new person with definite likes and dislikes and tons of personality.  He is so sweet and perfect for cuddling with.

He is now taking naps for me.  This is HUGE in our house!  In fact, I am getting two naps each day out of him.  He is rolling all over.  He has figured this new mode of transportation out and I never know where I will find him if I walk out of the room.  He is so strong that he is also pushing himself up on his hands and knees and stands while we hold his hands.  He still loves for me to carry him all around in one of my many baby carriers.  I just put a new pair of 9 month sleepers on him last night and they were too small.  He is growing so fast that I can barely keep up with him.

He has the sweetest giggle.  Nora Beth and Shianne love to tickle him and make him laugh.  He also thinks all our animals are quite funny, especially Boba, who has learned that wherever Calum is, there is soon to be some spit-up.  Calum may just be the best gift we ever gave Boba!

I feel so fortunate to have him in our family.  I just can't get enough of his sweet smile.  Happy 4 months!

My Talented Kids

Nora Beth had her first dance recital yesterday. She had been so excited for this. We all know that she is meant to be on stage. She was in three dance numbers, two ballet and one jazz. She did her routines almost perfectly and of course, added some extra Nora Beth Flair!




She was so excited to to take her hair out of the braids this morning because this meant she would have curls. Everywhere we went, she made sure everyone saw her curls. I have a feeling that Lamar and I will be spending quite a bit of money on salon visits as she gets older!


Today, Shianne's class performed carols at the local mall. She was so excited that I came to watch, but not that I brought the camera. She looked so pretty in her holiday dress. See that curl in her hair, that is all natural. Her hair has been turning very curly this past year.


And not to be left out is Calum. His new talent is rolling. He rolls all over the place. I have to keep a constant eye on him. This new talent is really wearing him out. He is also napping for me. I came into the living room and found that he fell asleep on the floor - he napped here for almost two hours yesterday.


He fell asleep in his Bilbo chair. I did not let him stay in this position very long, but I did run and grab the camera before I moved him!


Now, this is the way to sleep. The boys were supposed to be watching a football game.

100 Days of Calum, Day 100 The End!

I am a little late getting these posted, but I have finally reached the end of 100 Days of Calum! time has gone by so quickly and he has changed so much from when this began. Here he is, enjoying his hand. Don't worry, you will still see lots of pictures of my sweet little guy!

100 Days of Calum, Day 99

Calum and Nora Beth just before a game!

100 Days of Calum, Days 95, 96, 97 and 98

Day 95
We went wine tasting with friends. Calum did great and really enjoyed the sunshine.


Day 96
All cuddled up with Mom. He is just the sweetest thing!


Day 97
Fresh from the bath



Day 98
All cuddled up with Dad. He is dreaming hard here!

100 Days of Calum, Day 94

Calum had a "first" today. He is now rolling over!! He is very proud of his new skill, although he does not know what to do with himself as soon as he arrives on his stomach. This is where he decides to just spit up and smear his face in it, making a big mess that calls for my attention. I get him all cleaned up, and he does it again. It won't be long until he realizes that this rolling action can lead to actual movement across the floor.

100 Days of Calum, Day 93

A Day of Thanks

Today is Thanksgiving and it was a truly great day. I was well organized and the meal came together perfectly. Unfortunately, we do not have any family here to spend the holidays with, so we filled our house with friends. And fill our house we did! Everyone had a great time. We enjoyed a wonderful meal, great conversation and even more food and wine.

Lamar and I feel so grateful for all the wonderful things in our life. We have a warm, safe home, filled with love and laughter. Our children are happy and healthy. We both have work on our own terms. Our friends help round out this great day and life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

100 Days of Calum, Day 92

This is my new Calyx Buckle Tai. I could not get through the day without it. This is the only way I get anything done, and Calum sleeps. Here he is catching a ride (and nap) while I prepare for Thanksgiving.

It is just different this time

I have been thinking a lot lately about how different I feel postpartum with Calum than I did with each of the girls. Each experience has been so different, and each has determined how I approached motherhood with each child. I don't want to judge each experience. I firmly believe that I needed each experience to grow as a woman.

With Shianne, we were in such survival mode. So much had happened in our lives that we were just treading water to stay alive while learning what to do with this new baby. Her birth was so traumatic for me. I never allowed myself the time to check in with my emotions. I was so concerned with keeping everything together that I did not enjoy every moment like I should have. I did not know that it was supposed to be any different. We really grew up together.

With Nora Beth, I was in a really dark spot. I had some problems with postpartum depression. I kept up a good false front, but inside I was sinking into a dark hole. When I reached out for help, I felt brushed under the carpet. I felt like I was treated as "there is no way the doula could be having problems, she is supposed to know how to make it better." It did not help that Nora Beth made constant noise (read SCREAMED) for the first two years. I had this perfect little girl and yet, this dark hole was all consuming for me. I threw myself into my work. In some sick way, I felt that if I could make it better for another mom, then I could heal myself.

Now, here I am, 3 months postpartum with Calum and I am just loving the experience. It is so different. This is the way it is supposed to be. I never mind getting up with him in the middle of the night. I actually look forward to it. Smelling the top of his head is like a drug to me, I can't get enough of it. I have no depression. I do not feel guilty just spending the whole day cuddling with him. The housework and dinner can wait. I am just so filled with joy. My head is so clear. Every mom should have this experience. We got off to a rough start physically, but my mental health was so good and I was so supported by those around me that it now barely registers as a bump in the road.

I have talked quite a bit about all the letting go that I had to do with this last pregnancy. I can really see now that I had to let go of all that "baggage" so I could be open to all the receiving that I have allowed for myself. I have always been the type of person who does for others, and does not take the time to fill myself back up. Well, I am feeling really full right now, almost bursting. I really have the most amazing husband and friends. They have all been right there for me, nurturing me, being there for every thing that I need. For that, I am eternally grateful. This support has allowed me to be the best mom possible. I have no idea how I will make it up to them, except to be there for them when they need it.

Calum is now three months old. He just gets bigger each day. He is such a happy, laid back baby. He has the sweetest giggle and really recognizes the people in his daily life. He is on the verge of rolling over. Still does not sleep during the day, but is a great sleeper at night. His sisters are so good with him. Nora Beth makes sure he is constantly smothered in hugs and kisses and Shianne is great at keeping him happy. Shianne is such a big help to me.

I am more in love with my three kids each day. They are each such individuals. They amaze me by their depth and knowledge. I can get lost in each of their blue eyes. I feel grateful that I have had so much individual time with each child, the direct result of their age gap. Growing up, I had this vision of what my family would look like. I am happy to say, that my reality is so much better!

Again, I am just loving this experience. I am so in love with Calum!

100 Days of Calum, Day's 86 - 91

Day 86

Those cheeks just make me melt


Day 87

Chris, your neck looks so good!


Day 88

The shirt says it all!


Day 89

So much work to stretch

Day 90

He loves to watch himself in the mirror


Day 91

Back to my happy baby!

From Pumpkin to Pie

I picked up a sugar pumpkin a few days ago with the intention to show the girls how to make a pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin. This afternoon, Nora Beth and I went to work. We cut up the pumpkin, took out the seeds (and roasted them!), roasted the pumpkin, mashed it and mixed up the pie ingredients. Nora Beth was so excited to help me. She poured each ingredient into the bowl and did the mixing.



The house smelled so good when the pie came out of the oven. Pumpkin pie is one of Lamar's favorites. He rushed through dinner so he could have some. It turned out great.

100 Days of Calum, Days 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85

Day 80
Hanging out with my sister

Day 81
Calum has discovered his hands and his favorite place for them is in his mouth!

Day 82
Yes, Calum is not in this picture. The girls excluded him from their game of Chicken Foot

Day 83
Mom keeps putting me in this bouncy seat, but I really like it!

Day 84
Sleeping in the swing, a very rare event

Day 85
MMM...that was a good meal!

100 Days of Calum, Day 79

Deep in conversation with Grandma.

100 Days of Calum, Day 78

100 Days of Calum, Day 77

Calum is having so much fun with Grandma!

100 Days of Calum, Day 76

Calum falls asleep every time grandma holds him! He is just so sweet and cuddly.

100 Days of Calum, Day 75

He is wearing a hat that I knit for him.

A Tea Party Fit For A Princess

Nora Beth wanted a Princess Tea Party for her birthday. So we planned a whole afternoon of fun. I knitted each girl their own crown and added pink jewels.

Nora Beth helped me make tea sandwiches with ribbons on them. She was insistent on having strawberries. Not easy to find in November!

She also had to have a pink princess cake.

We both had to wear our royal jewels!

She was so excited to see her cake after I decorated it.

As a craft activity, the girls made magic wands. It was so much fun to listen to them giggle and make up magic words to say to each other.

I had to laugh at Mary Ann. She came out here to attend the tea party, and slept through it with Calum!

100 Days of Calum, Day 74